This bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code to adjust campaign finance reporting thresholds in response to inflation, specifically raising the threshold for reporting contributions and expenditures from two hundred dollars to two hundred fifty dollars. This change affects multiple sections, including the definitions of "ultimate and true source," campaign disclosure requirements, and the reporting obligations for political committees and parties. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State will conduct adjustments for inflation every ten years, increasing the reporting thresholds by one hundred dollars.

The bill also introduces new requirements for campaign finance reporting, such as detailed disclosures for contributions exceeding the new threshold and the necessity for candidates and political parties to maintain separate campaign accounts. It emphasizes accurate reporting to prevent the commingling of campaign and personal funds. Furthermore, the bill amends Section 54-66-02 to redefine the "ultimate and true source" of funds used for lobbying, requiring lobbyists and individuals who spend over the new threshold to file reports with the Secretary of State. These reports must include the known source of the funds, and the Secretary of State is tasked with making these reports electronically accessible to the public. The bill also allows resident taxpayers to initiate legal action against non-compliant individuals after other enforcement measures have been exhausted.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 16.1-08.1-06.2
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Olson: 16.1-08.1-01, 16.1-08.1-02.1, 16.1-08.1-02.3, 16.1-08.1-02.4, 16.1-08.1-03.2, 16.1-08.1-03.7, 16.1-08.1-06.2, 54-66-01, 54-66-02
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 16.1-08.1-01, 16.1-08.1-02.1, 16.1-08.1-02.3, 16.1-08.1-02.4, 16.1-08.1-03.2, 16.1-08.1-03.7, 16.1-08.1-06.2, 54-66-01, 54-66-02